Raglan Surf Co’s Guide to Going Troppo
Written exclusively for Raglan Surf Company by Lucy Galbraith
Probably the best thing about post Covid-apocalypse is getting back on a plane, out into the world and dabbling in something that doesn’t go left or cause steamer-ripping nipple-freeze.
For most of us it’s been a few years since we’ve stepped foot outside of the long white cloud so it’s a fair bet that we’re a bit rusty on the pre-travel check list. Not to worry, we’ve written one for you that should have most bases covered if you’re going troppo this winter.
LUGGAGE
It’s time to grow up and get a decent board bag - not a day bag, not a sock, but a real adult bag for your adult quiver.
Remember your first surf trip overseas? That crappy old borrowed board bag that doubled as a sleeping-bag, stuffed with your favourite boardies, a rash vest, singlet and party shirt. Maybe some underwear. Maybe a toothbrush and sunscreen if your mum got to it quick enough.
The strap was either broken or would break your shoulder but it didn’t matter cos you were going to Indo for the first time. You were probably going to pick up a high-paying sponsor when they saw how much you rip anyway.
Well, we’re older now and sleeping in your board bag on some unknown beach spooning a rabid street dog isn’t too appealing, nor is that back-breaking strap now you’ve added a few extra litres to your go-to.
It’s time to grow up and get a decent board bag - not a day bag, not a sock, but a real adult bag for your adult quiver. Get yourself a coffin. We still highly recommend stuffing the rest of your gear in there, which is way easier with a bigger bag and will save you a few pennies avoiding the extra bag fee. It might also protect your boards against any overly enthusiastic luggage handlers (we’re looking at you Air NZ).
Any extra stuff (stay out of it Schapelle) can be packed into your carry-on, which no one ever checks the weight and size of anyway.
In saying this, choose a decent carry on too. Consider your destination and how you’re getting there after the plane. If you’re going to G-Land you’re going to need something that is easy to manoeuvre through a crowded bus, and easily wipe-able if you have to stash it under your seat. Or, if you’re lucky to be heading to a remote island like Namotu or Tavvy, consider the boat ride which might be a bit wet. Especially if a decent swell is running.
A dry-bag is a good solution for all of the above, especially if you’re a stow away to Namotu and likely to get booted off before Cloudy by some massive local captain. Assuming you’re not in this position, the Patagonia Black Hole duffel is also a very fine choice. This duffel has been created superior to other duffels - it’s highly weather-resistant, stubbornly tough and protects your gear from travel and rough handling. There’s space for easily lose-able items like earbuds and chargers, and easily accessible exterior compartments so you can keep your phone handy for all of those impromptu insta stories your bound to upload. Don’t pretend you won’t.
The straps are padded for your poor old shoulders, and there’s all sorts of gadgets for tying things on (like your Yeti drink bottle, which we’ll come back to in a minute).
Extra advice - if you’re travelling through Auckland airport during their car park refurb make sure you put your coffin vertical if it’s anything over 7ft. The makeshift container walkways are approximately 7ft1” in width, which makes the five minute walk to the terminals incredibly painful if your trying to navigate your boards through horizontally.
HARDWARE
No one likes an anti-leasher (although they’re definitely less intimidating than a foiler or mid-life-crises SUP’er in the line up), and a shoe lace ain’t gonna work.
If you are going to anywhere that’s slightly obscure (which a good 60% of the best surf destinations are), make sure to consider the lack of friendly, family owned surf shops in the case of emergency. We’re talking broken fins, snapped leashes, dings and reef-ripped springies. In places like Pasquale’s, parts of Indo and islands like Fiji or Samoa you’ll be lucky to find any hardware, much less boards or ding repairers.
Pack more than one board and bring a ding repair kit or at very least some Sola-Rez.
If you’re surfing anything over 7 ft, or anything shallower than 3 ft, pack an extra leash or two as well. That thing is going to get a work out, and likely be double the length once you leave if it doesn’t snap prior. Even if you take your trusty FCS Essential (voted by the Inertia as the best leash of 2023 might we add), take another just in case. No one likes an anti-leasher (although they’re definitely less intimidating than a foiler or mid-life-crises SUP’er in the line up), and a shoe lace ain’t gonna work. If you don’t end up using it you’ll be able to swap it for kava or Gudangs, a win-win situation.
Fins are also a liability, especially in shallow reefy waters. Take a spare set, you can’t get them at your locals-only-as-approved-by-your-local-surf-guide spot. You‘ll struggle to surf properly if you lose a side fin and your middle fin isn’t going to be a decent place-holder. Pack ‘em all in your cute little FCS fin case (where you can also carefully stash your sharps if you’re chucking it all in your board bag) and keep handy. Just don’t blow out your box entirely. It’s not a cheap fix, especially when water-logged. Take a fin key, an extra leg rope tie and loads of tropical wax.
And if you’re honest with yourself and the only thing that’s going to shred is your wetty, take some Neo-Rez. Just in case.
HEALTH
...staph is a prick of a thing to contract and likely to happen if you don’t treat your reef related injuries properly.
Hopefully by now you’ve moved out from your parents whare so you need to be a little more sensible with the most important vessel, your body. While it might not be cool or hardcore to pack a toilet bag, the truth is melanoma isn’t fun, nor is a staph infection or furry teeth.
Bring a bunch of sunscreen, preferably reef-friendly. Zinc or Swim is proving to be a customer favourite for longevity, durability and staying-out-of-your-eyesability while utilising skin and earth-friendly natural ingredients. It’s so good the fish probably enjoy when the excess screen floats into their terrain.
Maz’s Surf Screen is also a great option if you need a bit of colour on your transparent kiwi-winter skin, especially if your heading out to Canggu for a Buddha bowl and several rounds of Bintang before hitting the clubs. Not that we do that now we’re adults.
Often the only drinkable water in these destinations comes from a plastic bottle - unless you’re willing to risk typhoid or hepatitis A. Even if you are willing to play contamination roulette, there’s a high chance your water will taste awful and be fairly warm. Most resorts and camps have a filtered water station but you’ll be hard pressed to find these during your day missions, so make sure you fill up before you leave base. The best tool for the job is the Yeti Rambler drink bottle.
Not just any drink bottle, the Yeti Rambler is literally built for the wild. It’s made from super durable stainless steel, comes in a variety of sizes and will keep your liquids cool for hours and hours. Yeti is well known for their superior products favoured by pro hunters, fishermen and your favourite surfers. Assuming your favourite surfers are Gilmore, Fanning and/or Florence, which we know they are.
Yeti have also just busted out a few new limited edition colour ways inspired by nature such as Camp Green and Cosmic Purple. Not shitting your wetsuit while staying hydrated never looked so good.
Which brings us to the last, if not most important surf trip essential (other than your trusty quiver and a can-do attitude), a first aid kit. We’re not joking. As previously stated, staph is a prick of a thing to contract and likely to happen if you don’t treat your reef related injuries properly. Not to mention hospitals overseas aren’t always great. You’re not at home now, Doctor Ropata.
Pack some Panadols, antiseptic and a tube of Hydrolite for those initiation binge-drink-like-I-don’t-have-a-mortgage/kids/dog/consistent-sciatic-issue nights out.
In fact, just take the damn kit. We have a perfect one by Creatures that’ll make you look less like a hypochondriac and more like a charger simply cos it’s branded. It also comes in a little dry bag you can stash your phone for the previously discussed Insta moments, especially those #floggedby10FtChopes gnarly gash updates. You’ll thank us when you’re not in a decrepit hospital bed bartering your treatment with a seedy doctor.
Last but not least, get the insurance. You know, the one that costs an extra $50. If you’re asking why then you probably haven’t been on a surf holiday before, in which case pay the extra $200.